Type-writing machine.



A G. F. KUBUWSKI IS! I. SOKDLOV.,

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

- APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2:. I316.

Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED G. F. KUROWSKI, OF BROOKLYN, AND JACOB SOKOLOV, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNORS TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWBITER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK. "N. Y., A COR- PORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Application filed October 21,-1916.

ltli hino of Wllltil the following is a specifi- Our invention relates to typewriting marhiues, and is herein disclosed as applied to an Underwood typewriter. The Under a nod typewriter. like many typewriting inachiues. is provided with a revoluble platen about which the work-sheet or paper is passed. on which the typewritten matter is to be imprinted. and successive lines of this work-sheet are brought up to the printing line by revolving the platen. In most such typeuritiug machines, it is customary to have the lines of typewriting spaced apart by considerably more than the height of the highest letter in the set of types, and the line spacing mechanism is usually adjusted to automatically space the lines of writing at a distance apart which is usually desirable. In such machines, however, it is frequently desirable to write a single character or two occasionally, party or slightly above. or below, the usual line of Writing.

Our invention provides means whereby this may be done without materially delaying the operation of writing. \Ve provide means for firmly gripping the typewriter platen, and then turn it to the required extentby a single operation of a handle, the connections being such, that when the handle is released, a spring returns the handle to its normal position, at the same time starting the platen back to the position from which the handle has just previously moved it. The accurate alining of the platen is accomplished by the usual linespace detent, and thus makes the machine ready to continue writing on the normal line.

Specification of Letters Patent.

of the rubber surface 2.

Patented Mar. .3513, 151i Serial No. 126,820.

One advantage of our invention is that only a single handle is required to shift the platen in either direction. This .results from the fact that the handle, when drawn toward the 'pistr, rotates the platen backwardly, white the opposite movement of the handle rotates the platen forwardly; both motions being the natural motions in operating such n'mchines.

Qthcr train-rs and advantages will hereinafter appear.

lnthe acazon'ipauying drawings,

Figure 1 is a. perspective View of the righthand end at the usual carriage of the Underwood typewriting machine, showing only so much thereof as seems advantageous for the illustration of our invention.

Fig. 2 is a dissected perspective view of certain members of the clutch.

Fig. 3 is a section through the clutch. showing the relationship of the parts included in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section through part of one end of theplaten, showing the relationship of the seizing band of the clutch to tln; platen.

Fig. 5 is an entl-on view of the parts shown in Fig. 3, when the clutch is released.

Fig. 6 is similar to Fig. 5, but shows the clutch seizing the platen.

Fig. 7 shows the alinement of parts in normal position.

Fig. 8 shows the alinement of parts when the platen is rotated forwardly by the clutch.

Fig. 9 is the same as Fig. 8, but showing the parts having rotated the platen bacln wardly.

Fig. 10 is a front View of the platen, together with the clutch and operating parts largely in section.

Fig. 11 is a plan View of part of the usual line space mechanism for rotating the platen.

The platen 1 comprises an outer covering 2, of hard rubbep, which may be supported from the shaft 3 in any usual or desired way, by means of an end plate 4, through which asses a number of screws 5, the screws usually entering into the backing journaled by means of the shaft 3 in the The platen is -35 if it is il -::cd to write ends 6 and 7 of a shift frame 8 in the usual manner, and is provided with the usual linespace Wheel 9 on which the usual linespacing pawl 10 is effective, said wheel also serving as an alining wheel, for which purpose the usual spring detent 11 bears against 1t, serving to aline the platen at the print ing line.

he typewriting machine also includes the usual type-bars 12, comprising types 13,

which, in the Underwood typewriter, strike against the front face of the laten through the usual ribbon (not shown to print the characters 14 on the usual work-sheet 15,

16 which has passed around the platen and is heldthere in the usual way by pressure rolls (not shown). As the typewriter carriage travels along, the t .pes 13 print thereonln a substantially stralght line, unless the linespace mechanism, including the pawl 10, is

operated, or unless the platen is turned by one or the other of its'knobs 1b, which are fast in the usual way at the opposite ends of the shaft 3.

If it is desiredto print a character a little above or a little below the line, it has usually heretofore been necessary to rotate the platen by means of its knob 16.

According to our invention,

may be rotated. to the desired extent by means of t handle 17, which, in the present disclosure, is shown as adapted to rotate the platen about half the altitude 'of the smalli r ictliGlS. of the alphabet, so that, a the letter a is 'wl'i lll in the usual manner, then the handl 1.7 is pushed rearwardly, and the (harm on 2 is written in the usual manner lill the result that the 2 will be at the (l i cd point above the line.

To accomplish this, the handle 17 is connected 1 devices which cause it to seize the platen and then rotate it, if it is moved "from the .normal position, shown in Fig. 7. These devices include two V-shaped arc rings 19 and 20. which normally ride loosely in the V-shaped groove 21 on the end plate lot the platen. \l'hen, however, the handle 17 is moved either forwardly or rcarwardly,

away from its normal position, the two rings 19 and 20 are drawn together, so that they seize the platen and then the continued movement of the handle 17 causes the rings to turn the platen until the handle is are5 rested by a suitable stop. The amount of thirthrow of the handle 17, after seizing the platen, determines the level by which the letters will be printed by any type then operated. To make the rings 19 and 20 effective to with tlu' platen, the recessed end of the rim;- J l is pivoted on a pin 22 projecting from h recessed end :23 of the ring l9.- and the i-"o rings are drawn together by means of a toggle joint which is straightened out, by thrmovement of the the platen This toggle 25 and 26, stub-shaft 27, said shaft extending through a V-shaped' cam opening 28 in a cam plate 29, which is fast to the handle 17, said cam plate and handle for this purpose, being both fast to a shaft 30.

The movement of the handle 17, in either direction, causes the V-sha ed cam 28 to draw,down the stub-shaft 2'2 and draw the rings 19 and 20 together, causing them to lock themselves to the platen end plate 4. To accomplish this, the toggle-joint 24 is elfective on recessed overlapping portions 3 1 of the rings 19 and 20, the ring 20 by a shouldered screw 31', which, while holding it closely, allows the link 26 of the toggle to swing freely. The other link 25 of the toggle is pivoted to the ring 19, by means of a shouldered screw 32, which passes through an elongated opening in the ring 20, thus allowing the ring 20 to slide idly past. the screw 32. The overlapping portions 34 of the rings 19 and '20 are cut away or recessed, so that each ring is only of half portions. this conducing to simplicity of construction, and enabling each ring to form half the V along the overlapping portion.

The toggle-joint is normally held in re leasing relation, (Fig.6) by means of a tension spring 35, whichis anchored in a pin 36 on each link 25 and 26 of the togglejoint 24. A i

In order to enable this spring to be effective to release the clutch formed by the toggle-joint. the toggle-joint is made of such length that it is never completely straightened out, thus permitting the spring 35 to always have considerable tendency to releas said joint. In order to hold the toggle-joint 21 normally released. the stubshaft 27 is made long enough to extend into a detent cam plate 37, said cam plate having a central detent notch 88 out therein, into which the stub-shaft 27 rises when the spring 35 is permitted t release the togglejoint 31.

The movement of the handle 17, in either direction. however, causes the V-shaped cam 28 to first draw the stub-shaft l'i' out of the detent notch 38, thus causing the rings 19 and 20 to seize. Further movement of the handle carries the stub-shaft 27 along. carrying with it. of course. the platen. the movement continuing until the stulrsliaft strikes the end 39 of the slot 10, which extends away from the notch 38. The slot -10 holds the toggle joint ctl'ective while the handle 17 is moving-the shaft, 27, and the length of the slot 40 in either direction, detcrmines how far the platen can be moved by the handle 17 when it is driving it by the shaft 27.

and is joined to' thickness of the overlapping In order to draw the handle I7 to its nor .mal inefl'ectivc position whenever released,

there is mounted on an extension of the handle, and near its pivot, a pin/l1 in which isanchored a spring 42, the other end of said spring being anchored at43 in the shift frame 8, the points 41 and 43 being so placed relatively to the shaft'30, that the spring 42 always tends to return the handle 17 to such position, that it will carry the stub-shaft 27 into the detent notch 38; tile line-space spring detent 11 aiding in t is. 1

' In order to protect the various parts from catching on anything, the usual cover of the shift frame 8 ismade to cover up the spring 42 and adjacent parts.

In order to give the mechanism sufiicient strength to bear the strains incidental to its o eration, the shaft 30 is journaled in a b ock 44 forming a bearing extending substantially the whole len h thereof, said block being extendedto orm the plate 37 in which the slot 40 is out, and being also extended at 46, to form a hold for the anchorage 43.

Variations may be resortedto within the scope of the invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus describe. our invention, we claim:

1. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a revoluble platen and a linespacing mechanism therefor, of additional line-spacing mechanism including a device normally ineffective on said platen for retating it in either direction a fractional linespace, and including means encircling the platen to grip and rotate the same, means also forming part of said additional mechanism for returning the platen to normal position when said mechanism'is inefl'ective.

2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a revoluble platen and line-spacing mechanism therefor, of a friction clutch for said platen, a handle for rotating said clutch about the platen axis, a device normally holding said clutch released, means whereby said handle may be operated in either direction, to cause said clutch to seize and then to rotate said platen frictionally a predetermined amount. and means for antomatically returning said platen to its previous position when said finger-piece is re leased.

3. The combination with a revoluble platen and a grooved member thereon, of overlapping arc-shaped grooved Vrings, a toggle-joint connecting said rings. and means -for depressing said toggle-joint to cause said rings to seize said member.

4. The combination with a rcvoluble platen and a grooved .mcnibcr thereon, of overlapping arc-shaped grooved V-rlngs, a toggle-joint connecting sald rings, a pin forming part of said toggle-joint, a, cam in which said pin travels, and means for caus- .ing said toggle-joint to cause said rings to seize said member by moving said pin in said cam. I

5. The combination with a revoluble platen and a grooved member thereon, of overlapping arc-shaped grooved V-rings, a toggle-joint. connecting said rings, a pin forming par ofsaid toggle-joint, a cam in which said p In travels, and means for causing said-toggle-joint to seize, by moving said pin in said cam, sa'd cam including a cut-away ortion, forming a detent opening to hold said joint released.

6. The ombination with a revoluble platen, of a handle for turning said platen in either d rection, a clutch forming a connection between said handle and said platen, and normally released from the platen, a controlling-pin forming part of said clutch. a cam including a detent portion in which said pin normally rests and also including another portion effective on said pin to causesaid clutchto seize, a spring normally tending to draw said handle to hold said pin at said detcnt, and a springtcnding to hold said clutch released.

7. The combination with a revoluble platen, of a'handle for turning said platen in either direction. a clutch forming a connection between said handle and said platen, and normally released from the platen, a controlling-pin forming part of said clutch, a cam including a detent portion in which said pin normally rests and also including another portion cfi'ective on said pin to cause said clutch to seize, a spring normally tending to draw said handle to hold said pin at said dctcnt, a spring tending to hold said clutch released. and a line-space detent normally holding said platen against revolving.

S. The combination with a revoluble platen, of arc-shaped rings encircling said platen and overlapping to form a clutch, a toggle-joint at said overlapping portion for causing said rings to seize the platen, a handle connected to said togglcjoint, and means whereby movement of said handle in either direction causes said toggle-joint to close said clutch and then carry the platen around by the handle. 7

9. The combination with a 'revoluble platen, of arc-shaped rings encircl' said platen and overlapping to form a c utch, a togglc-joint at said overlapping portion for causing said rings to seize the platen, a handle connected to said toggle-joint, menus whcrch movement of said handle in either direction causes said toggle-joint to close said chm-h and then carry the platen around by the handle, a pin vforming part of said toggle-joint, a cam in which said pin travels and forming the closing means which) the handle is effective, and end portions on said cam, limiting the throw of said handle.

10. The combination with a revolnhle platen, and a handle for turning it, of a clutch normally ineffective for enabling said handle to turn said platen, a cam for controlling the effectiveness of said clutch, said cam including a detent portion normally holding said clutch released, and a follower riding in said cam adapted to limit the throw of said handle and holding the clutch elt'ective whenever the follower is free of the detent portion of the cam.

11. Tilt combination with platen. and a handle for turning it, of a clutch normally incll'ective for enabling illtl handle to turn said platen, a cam for controlling the effectiveness of saidclutch, said camv including a detent portion normally holding saidclutch released, a fol lower riding in said cam adapted to limit the throw of v aid handle and holding the clutch effective whenever the follower is free of the detent portion of the cam, said cam including a portion to permit the handle to be effective forwardly on the platen, and another portion to permit the handle to be effective rearwardl' on the platen, and means normally tending to draw said hand'le to its inefi'ective position the platen to the dle moved it.

12. In a typewriting machine. the combination with a platen and a line-spacing mechanism therefor, of a fractional linespacing mechanism. comprising a fingerpiece. a cam controlled by said finger-piece, means engaging with the platen. comprising a stud engaged b v said cam. a. slotted plate into which said stud pro ects, the ends of said slot acting as stops. to limit the movement of said fingenpiece when the latter is moved foiwvardh or rearwardly from its normal central position, and a notch in said slotted plate for retaining said fingerpiece in its normal position.

13. In a typewriting machine. the comb1- nation with a platen and a line-spacing mechanism therefor, of a fractional linespacing mechanism. comprising a fingerpiece. a cam controlled by said finger-piece, ms is engaging with the platen, comprislng a s d engaging with said cam, and a plate a revoluble point from which the hanand to return with which said stud engages, said plate limiting the movement. of said finger-piece when the latter is moved forwardly or rearwardly from its normal position.

H. In a typewriting machine. the combination with a platen and regular line-spacingmechanism, of a fractiomil line-spacing mechanism, comprising frictional platenengaging means, a lock to normally prevent the movement of said platen-engaging means to platen-engaging position, and a finger-piece for unlocking said platen-en gaging means and cooperating with said platen-engaging means to rotate the platen frictionally a fractional line-space.

15. In a typcwriting machine,'the combination with a platen and regular line-spacilig mechanism, of a fractional line-spacing mechanism comprising frictional platen-engaging means, a lock to normally prevent said means from moving to platen-engaging position. and a finger-piece connected to unlock said plateiia-ngaging means and by further movement to cause rotation of said platen by said frictional platen-engaging means.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a platen and regular line-spacing mechanism. of a fractional line-spacing mechanism comprising frictional platen-engaging means. a lock to normally prevent the movement of said means to platen-engaging position. and a finger-piece connected to unlock said platen-engag1ng means and simultaneously movesaid frictional platen-engaging means to platen-en gaging position to drive the platen thereby.

17. In a tyl'icwriting machine, the combination with a platen and regular line-spacingmechanism. of a fractional line'spacing mechanism comprising frictional platen-engaging means, a lock to normally prevent the movement of said means to platen-engaging position, and a finger-piece connected to unlock said frictional platen-engaging means and simultaneousl "move the same to platen-engaging position, and by further movement to cause rotation of said platen thereby.

ALFRED G. F. KUROIVSKI. JACOB SOKOLOV. -Witnesses: l

ARTHUR A. Jonxsox, JEXNIE P. Tnonxn. 

